Faceplate-based wireless functionality device

ABSTRACT

Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing wireless functionality, and, more particularly, to methods, systems, and apparatuses for implementing faceplate-based wireless device functionality and wireless extension functionality. In various embodiments, one or more antennas, a power adapter, and at least one processor may be attached to an inner surface of a faceplate configured to be attached to a wall. The one or more antennas may be electrically coupled to the power adapter and communicatively coupled to the at least one processor. Alternatively, a wireless functionality device might include one or more antennas, a power adapter, and at least one processor. The wireless functionality device may be attached to an inner surface of a faceplate configured to be attached to a wall. The one or more antennas of the wireless functionality device may be electrically coupled to the power adapter and communicatively coupled to the at least one processor.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates, in general, to methods, systems, andapparatuses for implementing wireless functionality, and, moreparticularly, to methods, systems, and apparatuses for implementingfaceplate-based wireless device functionality and wireless extensionfunctionality.

BACKGROUND

Conventional wireless devices and wireless extension devices, such asWiFi extenders, either plug into electrical wall outlets disposed on awall of a customer premises or have one or more wires that plug intoelectrical wall outlets disposed on a wall of a customer premises. Suchdevices are typically always visible within a customer premises and donot blend aesthetically within the customer premises.

Hence, there is a need for more robust and scalable solutions forimplementing wireless functionality, and, more particularly, to methods,systems, and apparatuses for implementing faceplate-based wirelessdevice functionality and wireless extension functionality.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of particularembodiments may be realized by reference to the remaining portions ofthe specification and the drawings, in which like reference numerals areused to refer to similar components. In some instances, a sub-label isassociated with a reference numeral to denote one of multiple similarcomponents. When reference is made to a reference numeral withoutspecification to an existing sub-label, it is intended to refer to allsuch multiple similar components.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system for implementing forimplementing faceplate-based wireless device functionality, inaccordance with various embodiments.

FIGS. 2A-2P are schematic diagrams illustrating non-limiting examples ofvarious views and implementations of faceplates and faceplate-basedwireless functionality devices that are configured to attach to an innersurface of the faceplates, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIGS. 3A-3D are illustrations of one or more software applications(“apps”) running on user devices for interacting with one or morefaceplate-based wireless functionality devices within a customerpremises, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIGS. 4A-4C are flow diagrams illustrating a method for implementingfaceplate-based wireless device functionality, in accordance withvarious embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for makingfaceplate-based wireless device functionality, in accordance withvarious embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary computer or systemhardware architecture, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a networked system of computers,computing systems, or system hardware architecture, which can be used inaccordance with various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS Overview

Various embodiments provide tools and techniques for implementingwireless functionality, and, more particularly, to methods, systems, andapparatuses for implementing faceplate-based wireless devicefunctionality and wireless extension functionality.

In various embodiments, one or more antennas, a power adapter, and atleast one processor may be attached to an inner surface of a faceplateconfigured to be attached to a wall. The one or more antennas may beelectrically coupled to the power adapter and communicatively coupled tothe at least one processor. Alternatively, a wireless functionalitydevice might include one or more antennas, a power adapter, and at leastone processor. The wireless functionality device may be attached to aninner surface of a faceplate configured to be attached to a wall. Theone or more antennas of the wireless functionality device may beelectrically coupled to the power adapter and communicatively coupled tothe at least one processor.

In operation, the one or more antennas and/or the wireless functionalitydevice may be powered using the power adapter electrically coupled tothe one or more antennas and the at least one processor. When the one ormore antennas and/or the wireless functionality device initially receivepower, and/or when the at least one processor receives a user inputrequesting that the one or more antennas connect to a network, the atleast one processor communicatively coupled to the one or more antennasmight connect the one or more antennas to the network. The at least oneprocessor might then cause the one or more antennas and/or the wirelessfunctionality device to perform at least one of transmitting orreceiving one or more signals to perform one or more functions.

The various embodiments address issues with conventional wirelessdevices and wireless extension devices that either plug into electricalwall outlets or have one or more wires extending from the electricalwall outlets. By attaching the one or more antennas and/or the wirelessfunctionality device to an inner surface of a faceplate configured to beattached to a wall, the one or more antennas may be disposed on aninterior of the wall of a customer premises and invisible to a personstanding on the exterior side of the wall within the customer premises.Thus, the one or more antennas would blend aesthetically within acustomer premises because they would not be visible to a person withinthe customer premises. The one or more antennas would only be visiblewhen the faceplate was removed from the wall of the customer premises.These and other aspects of the one or more antennas and/or the wirelessfunctionality device are described in greater detail with respect to thefigures.

The following detailed description illustrates a few exemplaryembodiments in further detail to enable one of skill in the art topractice such embodiments. The described examples are provided forillustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention.

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the described embodiments. It will be apparent to oneskilled in the art, however, that other embodiments of the presentinvention may be practiced without some of these specific details. Inother instances, certain structures and devices are shown in blockdiagram form. Several embodiments are described herein, and whilevarious features are ascribed to different embodiments, it should beappreciated that the features described with respect to one embodimentmay be incorporated with other embodiments as well. By the same token,however, no single feature or features of any described embodimentshould be considered essential to every embodiment of the invention, asother embodiments of the invention may omit such features.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers used herein to expressquantities, dimensions, and so forth used should be understood as beingmodified in all instances by the term “about.” In this application, theuse of the singular includes the plural unless specifically statedotherwise, and use of the terms “and” and “or” means “and/or” unlessotherwise indicated. Moreover, the use of the term “including,” as wellas other forms, such as “includes” and “included,” should be considerednon-exclusive. Also, terms such as “element” or “component” encompassboth elements and components comprising one unit and elements andcomponents that comprise more than one unit, unless specifically statedotherwise.

Various embodiments described herein, while embodying (in some cases)software products, computer-performed methods, and/or computer systems,represent tangible, concrete improvements to existing technologicalareas, including, without limitation, customer premises technology,wireless technology, wireless extension functionality, gatewaytechnology, user interface technology, and/or the like. In otheraspects, certain embodiments, can improve the functioning of userequipment or systems themselves (e.g., customer premises devices,wireless devices, wireless extension devices, gateway devices, userinterface devices, etc.), for example, by powering, using a poweradapter, one or more antennas, wherein the power adapter is electricallycoupled to the one or more antennas, and wherein the one or moreantennas are attached to an inner surface of a faceplate configured tobe attached to a wall; connecting, using at least one processorcommunicatively coupled to the one or more antennas, the one or moreantennas to a network; and causing, using the at least one processor,the one or more antennas to perform at least one of transmitting orreceiving one or more signals to perform one or more functions; and/orthe like. In particular, to the extent any abstract concepts are presentin the various embodiments, those concepts can be implemented asdescribed herein by devices, software, systems, and methods that involvespecific novel functionality (e.g., steps or operations), such as,powering, using a power adapter, one or more antennas, wherein the poweradapter is electrically coupled to the one or more antennas, and whereinthe one or more antennas are attached to an inner surface of a faceplateconfigured to be attached to a wall; connecting, using at least oneprocessor communicatively coupled to the one or more antennas, the oneor more antennas to a network; and causing, using the at least oneprocessor, the one or more antennas to perform at least one oftransmitting or receiving one or more signals to perform one or morefunctions; and/or the like, to name a few examples, that extend beyondmere conventional computer processing operations. These functionalitiescan produce tangible results outside of the implementing computersystem, including, merely by way of example, a wireless functionalitydevice that can be attached to an inner surface of a faceplate andprovide wireless communications, and/or the like, at least some of whichmay be observed or measured by customers and/or service providers.

In an aspect, a method might comprise powering, using a power adapter,one or more antennas, wherein the power adapter is electrically coupledto the one or more antennas, and wherein the one or more antennas areattached to an inner surface of a faceplate configured to be attached toa wall; connecting, using at least one processor communicatively coupledto the one or more antennas, the one or more antennas to a network; andcausing, using the at least one processor, the one or more antennas toperform at least one of transmitting or receiving one or more signals toperform one or more functions.

In some embodiments, the faceplate includes at least one of a wallfaceplate, a power outlet faceplate, a data connection faceplate, anEthernet connection faceplate, a coaxial cable connection faceplate, alight switch faceplate, an audio connection faceplate, a videoconnection faceplate, or a multi-function faceplate.

According to some embodiments, the one or more antennas may be embeddedwithin the inner surface of the faceplate.

In some embodiments, the one or more signals comprise at least one ofone or more radio communications signals, WiFi communications signals,one or more cellular communications signals, or one or more Bluetoothcommunications signals. According to some embodiments, performing theone or more first functions might comprise at least one of: performingwireless access point functionality; performing wireless communicationsfunctionality; performing cellular communications functionality;performing Bluetooth communications functionality; performing Ethernetcommunications functionality; WiFi extension functionality; cellularextension functionality; Bluetooth extension functionality; orperforming WiFi mesh functionality; and/or the like.

In some embodiments, the one or more antennas may be communicativelycoupled to an Ethernet connection. In various instances, the one or moreantennas may further be configured to perform at least one oftransmitting the one or more signals to the Ethernet connection orreceiving the one or more signals from the Ethernet connection. TheEthernet connection may be at least one of an Ethernet port, one or moreEthernet cables disposed in the wall, or one or more Ethernet wiresdisposed in the wall, and/or the like.

According to some embodiments, the one or more antennas or the at leastone processor, via the one or more antennas, is at least one of:communicatively coupled to one or more user devices via a first wiredconnection; communicatively coupled to the one or more user devices viaa first wireless connection; communicatively coupled to at least one ofa router or a gateway device via a second wired connection;communicatively coupled to at least one of the router or the gatewaydevice via a second wireless connection; communicatively coupled to theone or more user devices via a third wired connection andcommunicatively coupled to at least one of the router or the gatewaydevice via a fourth wired connection; communicatively coupled to the oneor more user devices via a third wireless connection and communicativelycoupled to at least one of the router or the gateway device via a fourthwireless connection; communicatively coupled to the one or more userdevices via a fifth wireless connection and communicatively coupled toat least one of the router or the gateway device via a fifth wiredconnection; or communicatively coupled to the one or more user devicesvia a sixth wired connection and communicatively coupled to at least oneof the router or the gateway device via a sixth wireless connection;and/or the like.

In some embodiments, the method might further include receiving, withthe at least one processor, a user input via a sync button disposed onthe faceplate; and syncing, with the at least one processor, the one ormore antennas with the network in response to receiving the user inputvia the sync button. In other embodiments, the method might includereceiving, with the at least one processor, a user input via a syncbutton disposed on the faceplate; in response to receiving the userinput via the sync button, sending, with the at least one processor, aninitialization message to at least one of a user device or a softwareapplication (“app”) running on the user device to sync the one or moreantennas with the network; receiving, with the user device or the apprunning on the user device, a response to the initialization message;and in response to receiving the response to the initialization message,syncing, with the user device or the app running on the user device, theone or more antennas with the network.

According to some embodiments, one or more indicator lights may beattached to the faceplate. The one or more indicator lights may belocated on at least one of a front face of the faceplate or an edge ofthe faceplate. The one or more indicator lights may be configured toindicate at least one of: whether the one or more antennas are receivingpower; whether the one or more antennas are powered on or off; a signalstrength of the one or more signals; a bandwidth availability of the oneor more antennas; or a detection of motion in front of the faceplate;and/or the like.

In another aspect, an apparatus might comprise a faceplate configured tobe attached to a wall; one or more antennas attached to an inner surfaceof the faceplate and configured to perform at least one of transmittingor receiving one or more signals to perform one or more functions; apower adapter electrically coupled to the one or more antennas andconfigured to provide power to the one or more antennas; at least oneprocessor communicatively coupled to the one or more antennas; and anon-transitory computer readable medium communicatively coupled to theat least one processor. The non-transitory computer readable mediummight have stored thereon computer software comprising a set ofinstructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, causesthe apparatus to: connect the one or more antennas to a network; andcause the one or more antennas to perform the one or more functions.

In some embodiments, the faceplate comprises at least one of a wallfaceplate, a power outlet faceplate, a data connection faceplate, anEthernet connection faceplate, a coaxial cable connection faceplate, alight switch faceplate, an audio connection plate, a video connectionfaceplate, or a multi-function faceplate.

According to some embodiments, the one or more antennas may be embeddedwithin the inner surface of the faceplate. In some cases, the poweradapter may be electrically coupled to a power source. The power sourcemay be at least one of a battery, an electrical wall outlet, a solarcell, or one or more electrical power wires disposed in the wall, and/orthe like.

In some embodiments, the one or more signals comprise at least one ofone or more radio communications signals, one or more WiFicommunications signals, one or more cellular communications signals, orone or more Bluetooth communications signals. According to someembodiments, performing the one or more first functions might compriseat least one of: performing wireless access point functionality;performing wireless communications functionality; performing cellularcommunications functionality; performing Bluetooth communicationsfunctionality; performing Ethernet communications functionality; WiFiextension functionality; cellular extension functionality; Bluetoothextension functionality; or performing WiFi mesh functionality; and/orthe like.

According to some embodiments, the one or more antennas or the at leastone processor, via the one or more antennas, may be at least one of:communicatively coupled to one or more user devices via a first wiredconnection; communicatively coupled to the one or more user devices viaa first wireless connection; communicatively coupled to at least one ofa router or a gateway device via a second wired connection;communicatively coupled to at least one of the router or the gatewaydevice via a second wireless connection; communicatively coupled to theone or more user devices via a third wired connection andcommunicatively coupled to at least one of the router or the gatewaydevice via a fourth wired connection; communicatively coupled to the oneor more user devices via a third wireless connection and communicativelycoupled to at least one of the router or the gateway device via a fourthwireless connection; communicatively coupled to the one or more userdevices via a fifth wireless connection and communicatively coupled toat least one of the router or the gateway device via a fifth wiredconnection; or communicatively coupled to the one or more user devicesvia a sixth wired connection and communicatively coupled to at least oneof the router or the gateway device via a sixth wireless connection;and/or the like.

In yet another aspect, a system might comprise a plurality of wirelessfunctionality devices. Each wireless functionality device might comprisea faceplate configured to be attached to a wall; one or more antennasattached to an inner surface of the faceplate and configured to performat least one of transmitting or receiving one or more signals to performone or more functions; a power adapter electrically coupled to the oneor more antennas and configured to provide power to the one or moreantennas; at least one processor communicatively coupled to the one ormore antennas; and a non-transitory computer readable mediumcommunicatively coupled to the at least one processor. Thenon-transitory computer readable medium might have stored thereoncomputer software comprising a set of instructions that, when executedby the at least one processor, causes said wireless functionality deviceto: connect the one or more antennas to a network; and cause the one ormore antennas to perform the one or more functions.

In some embodiments, the plurality of wireless functionality devices iscommunicatively coupled together to form a mesh network. In some cases,the mesh network may be a WiFi mesh network.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the embodimentsdiscussed without departing from the scope of the invention. Forexample, while the embodiments described above refer to particularfeatures, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments havingdifferent combination of features and embodiments that do not includeall of the above described features.

Specific Exemplary Embodiments

We now turn to the embodiments as illustrated by the drawings. FIGS. 1-7illustrate some of the features of the method, system, and apparatus forimplementing wireless functionality, and, more particularly, to methods,systems, and apparatuses for implementing faceplate-based wirelessdevice functionality and wireless extension functionality, as referredto above. The methods, systems, and apparatuses illustrated by FIGS. 1-7refer to examples of different embodiments that include variouscomponents and steps, which can be considered alternatives or which canbe used in conjunction with one another in the various embodiments. Thedescription of the illustrated methods, systems, and apparatuses shownin FIGS. 1-7 is provided for purposes of illustration and should not beconsidered to limit the scope of the different embodiments.

With reference to the figures, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagramillustrating a system 100 for implementing faceplate-based wirelessdevice functionality, in accordance with various embodiments.

In the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 1 , system 100 might comprise oneor more wireless functionality devices 105 a-105 c (collectively,wireless functionality devices 105) attached to an inner surface of acorresponding faceplate 115 a-115 c (collectively, faceplates 115).Although three wireless functionality devices 105 a-105 c are shown inFIG. 1 , the different embodiments should not be limited to only threewireless functionality devices 105 a-105 c. There could be more or lesswireless functionality devices 105 a-105 c depending on the situation.

The one or more wireless functionality devices 105 (examples of whichare shown in, and described below with respect to, FIGS. 2A-2P) mighteach include, without limitation, at least one of a processor 110 a, oneor more antennas or wireless communications systems 110 b, a data store110 c (optional), one or more displays or display screens 110 d(optional), one or more sensors 110 e (optional), one or more userinterface(s) 110 f (optional), a power adapter 110 g, a power source 110h (optional), and/or the like.

In some instances, the one or more antennas and/or wirelesscommunications systems 110 b might include, but are not limited to, atleast one of one or more WiFi antennas, one or more cellular antennas,or one or more Bluetooth antennas, and/or any combination of theseand/or other antennas, and/or the like. The one or more antennas 110 bmay further be configured to provide wireless access point (“WAP”)functionality, wireless communications functionality, cellularcommunications functionality, Bluetooth communications functionality,Ethernet communications functionality, WiFi extension functionality,cellular extension functionality, Bluetooth extension functionality, orWiFi mesh functionality, and/or the like. In some cases, the one or moredisplay screens 110 d may be configured to be displayed on an outersurface of the one or more faceplates 115 and might each include, butare not limited to, at least one of a liquid crystal display (“LCD”)screen, a light emitting diode (“LED”) display screen, an organic LED(“OLED”) display screen, a quantum dot LED (“QLED”) display screen, or atouchscreen display screen, and/or the like. In some instances, the oneor more sensors 110 e might each include, without limitation, at leastone of a light sensor, a proximity sensor, a motion sensor, or an audiosensor, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the one or more userinterfaces 110 f might include, but are not limited to, at least one ofone or more physical buttons, one or more soft or virtual (touchscreen)buttons, one or more touchscreen interfaces, or one or more voiceinterfaces, one or more lights or light interfaces, and/or the like. Insome instances, the power adapter 110 g might convert (or transform)electricity (i.e., by regulating voltage, stepping-up or stepping downvoltage, limiting current, etc.) that is transmitted to the wirelessfunctionality device 105 from a power source 110 h. The power source 110might be integrated into the wireless functionality device 105 orseparate from the wireless functionality device 105. The power source110 might be, without limitation, a battery, an electrical wall outlet,a solar cell, or one or more electrical power wires disposed in the wall120, and/or the like. In some cases, by wiring the wirelessfunctionality device 105 to the one or more electrical power wiresdisposed in the wall 120, the one or more antennas 110 b may beconfigured to transmit communications signals or receive communicationssignals over powerline.

In various cases, the at least one processor 110 a may becommunicatively coupled to the one or more antennas or wirelesscommunications systems 110 b, the data store 110 c, the one or moredisplays or display screens 110 d, the one or more sensors 110 e, theone or more user interface(s) 110 f, the power adapter 110 g, the powersource 110 h, and/or the like. In some instances, the power adapter 110g and/or the power source 110 h may be electrically coupled to andprovide power to the at least one processor 110 a, the one or moreantennas or wireless communications systems 110 b, the data store 110 c,the one or more displays or display screens 110 d, the one or moresensors 110 e, the one or more user interface(s) 110 f, the poweradapter 110 g, the power source 110 h, and/or the like.

In various instances, the one or more faceplates 115 may include,without limitation, one or more wall faceplates, one or more poweroutlet faceplates, one or more data connection faceplates, one or moreEthernet connection faceplates, one or more coaxial cable connectionfaceplates, one or more light switch faceplates, one or more audioconnection faceplates, one or more video connection faceplates, or oneor more multi-function faceplates, and or the like. The one or moremulti-function faceplates may be a faceplate combining features of twoor more of the other faceplates. In a non-limiting example, the one ormore multi-function faceplates may include two or more features of awall faceplate, a power outlet faceplate, a data connection faceplate,an Ethernet connection faceplate, a coaxial cable connection faceplate,a light switch faceplate, an audio connection faceplate, a videoconnection faceplate, and/or the like.

In some cases, system 100 might further include one or more walls 120(where the one or more faceplates 115 are configured to be attached tothe one or more walls 120). The one or more faceplates 115 may bedetachably attached to the one or more walls 120 via glue, one or morescrews, and/or the like. An inner surface of the one or more faceplates115 may be hidden within an interior of walls 120 such that an innersurface of the one or more faceplates 115 is not visible to a personstanding on the outside of walls 120.

In some instances, system 100 might additionally include one or moreuser devices 125 a-125 c (collectively, user devices 125) and a gatewayor a router 130 (e.g., a G.hn gateway, or the like). Each of thewireless functionality devices 105, faceplates 115, walls 120, userdevices 125, and/or gateways or routers 130 may be disposed in one ormore rooms 135 a-135 c of a customer premises 135. According to someembodiments, the one or more user devices 125 might include, withoutlimitation, at least one of a laptop computer, a tablet computer, asmart phone, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, a remotecontrol device, a portable gaming device, a television set, a smarttelevision, a computer monitor, a laptop monitor, a set-top box (“STB”),a gaming console, a digital video recorder (“DVR”), a media playbackand/or recording device, an Internet of Things (“IoT”) device, a kitchenappliance, or a home appliance, and/or the like.

The one or more user devices 125 and/or gateway 130 mightcommunicatively couple to the one or more of the wireless functionalitydevices 105 via the one or more antennas 110 b. Additionally and/oralternatively, the wireless functionality devices 105 a-105 c mightcommunicatively couple together via the one or more antennas 110 b. Insome instances, the wireless functionality devices 105, user devices125, and/or gateway 130 may be communicatively coupled together withinnetwork(s) 140. Network(s) 140 may include a local area network (“LAN”),including, without limitation, a fiber network, an Ethernet network, aToken-Ring™ network, and/or the like; a wide-area network (“WAN”); awireless wide area network (“WWAN”); a virtual network, such as avirtual private network (“VPN”); the Internet; an intranet; an extranet;a cellular network; a public switched telephone network (“PSTN”); aninfra-red network; a wireless network, including, without limitation, anetwork operating under any of the IEEE 802.11 suite of protocols, theBluetooth™ protocol known in the art, and/or any other wirelessprotocol; and/or any combination of these and/or other networks.

According to some embodiments, the wireless functionality device 105,the one or more antennas 110 b, or the at least one processor 110 a, viathe one or more antennas 110 b, is at least one of: communicativelycoupled to one or more user devices 125 or other wireless functionalitydevices 105 via a wired connection; communicatively coupled to the oneor more user devices 125 or other wireless functionality devices 105 viaa wireless connection; communicatively coupled to the gateway 130 via awired connection; communicatively coupled to the gateway 130 via awireless connection; communicatively coupled to the one or more userdevices 125 or other wireless functionality devices 105 via a wiredconnection and communicatively coupled to the gateway 130 via a wiredconnection; communicatively coupled to the one or more user devices 125or other wireless functionality devices 105 via a wireless connectionand communicatively coupled to the gateway 130 via a wirelessconnection; communicatively coupled to the one or more user devices 125or other wireless functionality devices 105 via a wireless connectionand communicatively coupled to at least one of the gateway 130 via awired connection; or communicatively coupled to the one or more userdevices 125 or other wireless functionality devices 105 via a wiredconnection and communicatively coupled to the gateway 130 via a wirelessconnection; and/or the like.

In a non-limiting example, the wireless functionality device 105, theone or more antennas 110 b, or the at least one processor 110 a, via theone or more antennas 110 b, may be communicatively coupled to the one ormore user devices 125 via a wired Ethernet connection andcommunicatively coupled to the gateway 130 via a wireless WiFiconnection. Alternatively, in other cases, the wireless functionalitydevice 105, the one or more antennas 110 b, or the at least oneprocessor 110 a, via the one or more antennas 110 b, may becommunicatively coupled to the one or more user devices 125 via awireless WiFi connection and communicatively coupled to at least one ofthe gateway 130 via a wired Ethernet connection. In another non-limitingexample, the wireless functionality device 105, the one or more antennas110 b, or the at least one processor 110 a, via the one or more antennas110 b, may be communicatively coupled to the one or more user devices125 via a wireless WiFi connection and communicatively coupled to thegateway 130 via a wired data over powerline connection. Alternatively,in other cases, the wireless functionality device 105, the one or moreantennas 110 b, or the at least one processor 110 a, via the one or moreantennas 110 b, may be communicatively coupled to the one or more userdevices 125 via a wired Ethernet connection and communicatively coupledto at least one of the gateway 130 via a wired data over powerlineconnection.

In some instances, the wireless functionality device 105 a may be a mainwireless functionality device and may be installed in a faceplate 115 a(e.g., an electrical outlet faceplate, and/or the like) located neargateway 130 and coupled to the gateway 130 via an Ethernet connection.By installing the main wireless functionality device 105 a near, or inphysical proximity to, gateway 130 and coupling the main wirelessfunctionality device 105 a to the gateway 130 via an Ethernetconnection, a more stable WiFi mesh network may be created by usingEthernet backhaul. Alternatively, if the wireless functionality device105 a is not installed near, or in physical proximity to, the gateway130, the wireless functionality device 105 a-105 c may provide atri-band WiFi system and use a dedicated radio for backhaul.

In some embodiments, system 100 might further comprise a computingsystem 145 (optional) and corresponding database(s) 150 (optional) thatmay communicatively couple to the gateway 130 (e.g., a G.hn gateway, orthe like) via network(s) 155 or communicatively couple to one or morewireless functionality devices 105 via the one or more antennas 110 b,via the gateway 130, and via network(s) 155. Network(s) 155 can includea wide-area network (“WAN”); a wireless wide area network (“WWAN”); avirtual network, such as a virtual private network (“VPN”); theInternet; an intranet; an extranet; a cellular network; a publicswitched telephone network (“PSTN”); an infra-red network; a wirelessnetwork, including, without limitation, a network operating under any ofthe IEEE 802.11 suite of protocols, the Bluetooth™ protocol known in theart, and/or any other wireless protocol; and/or any combination of theseand/or other networks. In a particular embodiment, the network mightinclude an access network of the service provider (e.g., an Internetservice provider (“ISP”)). In another embodiment, the network 155 mightinclude a core network of the service provider, and/or the Internet

In operation, the wireless functionality device 105 including the atleast one processor 110 a, the one or more antennas 110 b, and/or thepower adapter 110 g might be attached to an inner surface of a faceplate115 that is configured to be attached to a wall 120. In some cases, thewireless functionality device might further include optional data store110 c, optional display 110 d, optional sensors 110 e, optional userinterfaces 110 f, and/or optional power source 110 h. In variousinstances, the least one processor 110 a, the one or more antennas 110b, and/or the power adapter 110 g may be integrated into one housing ofthe wireless functionality device 105. Alternatively, the least oneprocessor 110 a, the one or more antennas 110 b, and/or the poweradapter 110 g of the wireless functionality device 105 may be attachedto the faceplate 115 as multiple separate parts. By attaching thewireless functionality device 105 to an inner surface of a faceplate115, the wireless functionality device 105 may be fully contained withina wall 120 of a customer premises 135 and not visible to a person withinthe customer premises 135. Only an outer surface of the face plate 115 amay be visible to a person within the customer premises 135 unless thefaceplate 115 is removed from the wall 120.

In some cases, the wireless functionality device 105 may be attached tothe inner surface of the faceplate 115 via a least one of a resin, aglue, one or more screws, and/or the like. In some instances, thewireless functionality device 105 may be fully embedded or partiallyembedded within the faceplate 115. In a non-limiting example, thefaceplate 115 may be 3D-printed around the wireless functionality device105 to embed the wireless functionality device 105 within the faceplate115.

In some embodiments, the wireless functionality device 105 might bepowered using the power adapter 110 g electrically coupled to a powersource 110 h. In some instances, the power adapter 110 g might convertelectricity that is transmitted to the wireless functionality device 105and/or the one or more antennas 110 b from a power source 110 h. In someinstances, the wireless functionality device 105 may be wired directlyinto one or more power wires disposed in wall 120 of the customerpremises. In various cases, the power adapter 110 g may be electricallycoupled to multiple power sources 110 h. For example, the power adapter110 g may be electrically coupled to both a battery and one or moreelectrical power wires disposed in the wall 120. The battery may serveas a backup if power to the one or more electrical power wires disposedin the wall 120 goes out during a power outage and ensure that thewireless functionality device 105 and/or the one or more antennas 110 balways receive power.

Once the wireless functionality device 105 is powered, the processor 110a communicatively coupled to the one or more antennas 110 b of thewireless functionality device 105 may connect the wireless functionalitydevice 105 and/or the one or more antennas 110 b to network 140 and/ornetwork 155. In some cases, in order to connect the wirelessfunctionality device 105 and/or the one or more antennas 110 b tonetwork 140 and/or network 155, the at least one processor mayautomatically sync the wireless functionality device 105 and/or the oneor more antennas 110 b to network 140 and/or network 155 or manuallysync the wireless functionality device 105 and/or the one or moreantennas 110 b to network 140 and/or network 155 in response to userinput.

In some cases, the at least one processor 110 a may automatically syncthe wireless functionality device 105 and/or the one or more antennas110 b by determining whether the wireless functionality device 105and/or the one or more antennas 110 b have received power. Based on adetermination that the wireless functionality device 105 and/or the oneor more antennas 110 b have received power, the at least one processor110 a may automatically sync and connect the wireless functionalitydevice 105 to network 140 and/or network 155.

In other cases, the at least one processor 110 a may receive user inputvia the display(s) 110 d and/or user interface(s) 110 f, requesting thatthe processor 110 a sync and connect the wireless functionality device105 to network 140 and/or network 155. In response to receiving the userinput, the at least one processor 110 a may sync and connect thewireless functionality device 105 to network 140 and/or network 155. Insome cases, display(s) 110 d and/or user interface(s) 110 f mightcomprise a sync button and the user input may be received via the syncbutton. Additionally and/or alternatively, the user may press the syncbutton for a predetermined period of time to reset the wirelessfunctionality device 105 and/or the one or more antennas 110 b.

In yet another case, the at least one processor 110 a may determine thewireless functionality device 105 and/or the one or more antennas 110 bhave received power. Alternatively, the at least one processor 110 a mayreceive user input via the display(s) 110 d and/or user interface(s) 110f, requesting that the processor 110 a sync and connect the wirelessfunctionality device 105 to network 140 and/or network 155. In responseto determining the wireless functionality device 105 and/or the one ormore antennas 110 b have received power and/or in response to receivingthe user input, the at least one processor 110 a may send aninitialization message to at least one of a user device 125 or asoftware application (“app”) running on the user device 125 to sync theone or more antennas with network 140 and/or network 155. Theinitialization message may be sent to a nearby user device (e.g., acellphone, a tablet, a computer, and/or the like) via a Bluetoothwireless connection and/or a WiFi wireless connection. The user device125 may receive a response to the initialization message from the userand, in response to receiving the response to the initializationmessage, the user device 125 may sync and connect the wirelessfunctionality device 105 to network 140 and/or network 155.

In some cases, if the processor 110 a determines that the wirelessfunctionality device 105 and/or one or more antennas 110 b did notautomatically sync and connect to network 140 and/or network 155, thenthe processor 110 a may indicate on display 110 d and/or via userinterface 110 f that the wireless functionality device 105 and/or one ormore antennas 110 b did not automatically sync and connect to network140 and/or network 155. In a non-limiting example, a sync button locatedon faceplate 115 may flash a red light indicating that the wirelessfunctionality device 105 and/or one or more antennas 110 b did notautomatically sync and connect to network 140 and/or network 155. Theprocessor 110 a may then wait to receive input via display 110 d and/orvia user interface 110 f and, in response to receiving user input, theat least one processor 110 a may try to sync and connect the wirelessfunctionality device 105 to network 140 and/or network 155.

Alternatively, if the processor 110 a determines that the wirelessfunctionality device 105 and/or one or more antennas 110 b did notautomatically sync and connect to network 140 and/or network 155 and/orthat user input via display 110 d and/or via user interface 110 f didnot manually sync and connect to network 140 and/or network 155, theprocessor 110 a may send an initialization message to at least one ofthe user device 125 or a software application (“app”) running on theuser device 125 to sync the one or more antennas with network 140 and/ornetwork 155. The user device 125 may receive a response to theinitialization message from the user and, in response to receiving theresponse to the initialization message, the user device 125 may sync thewireless functionality device 105 to network 140 and/or network 155.

Once the wireless functionality device 105 is connected to network 140and/or network 155, the at least one processor 110 a might cause thewireless functionality device 105 and/or the one or more antennas 110 bto perform at least one of transmitting or receiving one or more signalsto perform one or more functions. The one or more signals might include,without limitation, at least one of one or more radio communicationssignals, WiFi communications signals, one or more cellularcommunications signals, or one or more Bluetooth communications signals,and/or the like. According to some embodiments, performing the one ormore first functions might comprise at least one of: performing wirelessaccess point functionality; performing wireless communicationsfunctionality; performing cellular communications functionality;performing Bluetooth communications functionality; performing Ethernetcommunications functionality; WiFi extension functionality; cellularextension functionality; Bluetooth extension functionality; orperforming WiFi mesh functionality; and/or the like. The wirelessfunctionality device 105 may then act as a WiFi access point, a WiFiextension device, a cellular extension device, and/or the like.

In some instances, as each wireless functionality device 105 a-105 c issynced and connected to network 140, the network 140 expands andchanges. For example, when a new wireless functionality device 105 a-105c is added to network 140, the network 140 may add and change routes fortransmitting and receiving the one or more signals. Additionally, in thecases where the one or more signals are WiFi communications signals,WiFi in a customer premises can be extended and a WiFi mesh network canbe created.

According to some embodiments, the user device 125 and/or computingsystem 145 might collect and store data locally or at database 150 fromthe one or more wireless functionality devices 105. For example, userdevice 125 and/or computing system 145 might collect and store alocation (e.g., the rooms where the wireless functionality devices 105are located) associated with each wireless functionality device 105, asignal strength of each wireless functionality device 105, an availablebandwidth associated with each wireless functionality device 105, apowered status (e.g., powered on or powered off) associated with eachwireless functionality device 105, a number of devices connected to theeach wireless functionality device 105, types of devices connected toeach wireless functionality device 105, specific devices (e.g., livingroom TV, refrigerator, and/or the like) connected to each wirelessfunctionality device 105, a download speed or an upload speed associatedwith each wireless functionality device 105, and/or the like.

In various cases, the display 110 d and/or user interface 110 f mightinclude one or more indicator lights. The one or more indicator lightsmight be attached to an outer surface of the faceplate 115 and/orattached to an edge of faceplate 115. The display 110 d, user interface110 f, and/or one or more indicator lights may be configured to indicateat least one of: whether the one or more antennas are receiving power;whether the one or more antennas are powered on or off; a signalstrength of the one or more signals; a bandwidth availability of the oneor more antennas; or a detection of motion in front of the faceplate;and/or the like. In a few non-limiting examples, the one or moreindicator lights may be green when the one or more antennas arereceiving power and/or when the one or more antennas are powered on. Theone or more indicator lights may be off when the one or more antennasare powered off. A number of indicator lights turned on or a color ofindicator lights may indicate a signal strength of the one or moresignals. For example, four indicator lights turned on or green indicatorlights may indicate that strong signal strength while one indicatorlight turned on or red indicator lights may indicate low signalstrength. In some cases, the one or more indicator lights may be poweredon when the one or more sensors 110 e detect motion and/or when the oneor more sensors 110 e detect that one or more lights in a room have beenpowered off

In various embodiments, the one or more sensors 110 e of the wirelessfunctionality device 105 might include microphones and/or speakers. Ifthe one or more sensors 110 e include microphones and/or speakers, thewireless functionality device 105 might be configured as a smart homeassistant or hub (e.g., an echo, a google home, and/or the like) andused to control one or more user devices 125 and/or the like.

These and other functions of the system 100 (and its components) aredescribed in greater detail below with respect to FIGS. 2-5 .

FIGS. 2A-2P (collectively, “FIG. 2 ”) are schematic diagramsillustrating non-limiting examples 200, 200′, 200″, and 200″′ of variousviews and implementations of faceplates and wireless functionalitydevices that are configured to attach to an inner surface of thefaceplates, in accordance with various embodiments. FIGS. 2A-2M depict afirst example 200 of a faceplate 205 and wireless functionality devicesthat are configured to attach to an inner surface of the faceplate 205.Although electrical outlet faceplates 205 are shown in FIGS. 2A-2M, thefaceplate 205 could be any other type of faceplate, including, but notlimited to, one of a wall faceplate, a power outlet faceplate, a dataconnection faceplate, an Ethernet connection faceplate, a coaxial cableconnection faceplate, a light switch faceplate, an audio connectionplate, a video connection faceplate, or a multi-function faceplate, andor the like. The multi-function faceplate may be a faceplate combiningfeatures of two or more of the other faceplates. In a non-limitingexample, the one or more multi-function faceplates may include two ormore features of a wall faceplate, a power outlet faceplate, a dataconnection faceplate, an Ethernet connection faceplate, a coaxial cableconnection faceplate, a light switch faceplate, an audio connectionfaceplate, a video connection faceplate, and/or the like. Further,although a Type B plug and socket is shown in FIGS. 2A-2M, the variousembodiments are not so limited, and any suitable plug and socket may beused, including, but not limited to, one of Type A, Type B, Type C, TypeD, Type E, Type F, Type G, Type H, Type I, Type J, Type K, Type L, TypeM, Type N, or Type O, or the like, which may be dependent on whichcountry or region the faceplate 205 and/or wireless functionality deviceis intended to be used. FIGS. 2N-2P depict a second example 200′, athird example 200″, and a fourth example 200″′ of various otherimplementations of faceplates and wireless functionality devices thatare configured to attach to an inner surface of the faceplates.

With reference to FIG. 2A, a first example 200 of a front view of afaceplate 205 with an outer surface 210 is shown. The faceplate 205 isan electrical outlet faceplate with a Type B plug and socket 215 and thefaceplate 205 is attached to wall 220. With reference to FIG. 2B, afront view of the faceplate 205 having an outer surface 210 is shownwithout a plug and socket and without being attached to wall 220.

With reference to FIGS. 2C and 2D, the faceplate 205 is shown as havingmultiple different thicknesses to accommodate multiple differentwireless functionality device(s) 230 (not shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C) ofvarious sizes and thicknesses. For example, the thickness of faceplate205 may be thinner when the wireless functionality device is attached tothe inner surface 225 of the faceplate 205 via a least one of a resin, aglue, one or more screws, and/or the like. In some instances, thethickness of faceplate 205 may be thicker when the wirelessfunctionality device 230 is fully embedded or partially embedded withinthe faceplate 205. In a non-limiting example, the faceplate 205 may be3D-printed around the wireless functionality device 230 to embed thewireless functionality device 230 within the faceplate 205.

With reference to FIGS. 2E-2L, FIGS. 2E-2L show a rear view of afaceplate 205 with different embodiments of wireless functionalitydevices 230 attached to the inner surface 225 of the faceplate 205. Thewireless functionality devices 230 might each include, withoutlimitation, at least one of a processor 235, one or more antennas orwireless communications systems 240, and a power adapter 245. In variouscases, the at least one processor 235 may be communicatively coupled tothe one or more antennas 240 and/or the power adapter 245, and/or thelike. In some instances, the power adapter 245 may be electricallycoupled to and provide power to the at least one processor 235, the oneor more antennas 240, and/or the like.

In some instances, the one or more antennas and/or wirelesscommunications systems 240 might include, but are not limited to, atleast one of one or more WiFi antennas, one or more cellular antennas,or one or more Bluetooth antennas, and/or any combination of theseand/or other antennas, and/or the like. The one or more antennas 240 mayfurther be configured to transmit or receive one to more signals.

In some instances, as shown in FIG. 2F, there may be three antennas 240a-240 c. In some cases, antenna 240 a may be a first rf antenna, antenna240 b may be a second rf antenna, and antenna 240 c may be a third rfantenna. The first rf antenna, the second rf antenna, and the third rfantenna (collectively, “rf antennas” or the like) might communicativelycouple to another of the first rf antenna, the second rf antenna, andthe third rf antenna. Each of the first rf antenna, the second rfantenna, and/or the third rf antenna may operate at different frequencyranges. Merely by way of example, in some cases, the first operatingfrequency range might center around 5 GHz (with frequency bandwidthranging from 10 Hz to 500 MHz or the like), while the second operatingfrequency range might center around 2.4 GHz (with frequency bandwidthranging from 10 Hz to 500 MHz or the like), and the third operatingfrequency range might center around 900 MHz (with frequency bandwidthranging from 10 Hz to 100 MHz or the like. The one or more antennas 240may further be configured to provide wireless access point (“WAP”)functionality, wireless communications functionality, cellularcommunications functionality, Bluetooth communications functionality,Ethernet communications functionality, WiFi extension functionality,cellular extension functionality, Bluetooth extension functionality, orWiFi mesh functionality, and/or the like.

In some embodiments, the wireless functionality device 230 might furtherinclude a power source 250 as shown in FIGS. 2G and 2H. In FIG. 2G, thepower source is a battery 250 a and, in FIG. 2H, the power source 250 isone or more electrical wires 250 b disposed in wall 220. In FIG. 2H, thewireless functionality device 230 is wired directly to the one or morewires disposed in wall 220. The power source 250 may be electricallycoupled to the power adapter 245 and provide power to the at least oneprocessor 235 and/or the one or more antennas 240. In some cases, bywiring the wireless functionality device 105 to the one or moreelectrical power wires 250 b disposed in the wall 120, the one or moreantennas 110 b may be configured to transmit signals or receive signalsover the one or more electrical power wires 250 b disposed in the wall220.

In various instances, the power adapter 245 may be electrically coupledto both a battery 250 a and one or more electrical power wires 250 bdisposed in the wall 220. The battery 250 a may serve as a backup ifpower to the one or more electrical power wires 250 b disposed in thewall 220 goes out during a power outage. This ensures that the one ormore antennas 240 always receive power. Additionally, in some instances,when the router or gateway of a customer premises have one or morebattery backups and when the wireless functionality devices areconfigured as WiFi extension devices, then WiFi within a customerpremises may continue to function within a customer premises even duringa power outage due to the battery 250 a backup.

In various embodiments, the wireless functionality device 230 and/or theone or more antennas 240 might further be connected to one or moreEthernet lines 255 via an Ethernet connection as shown in FIGS. 2I-2K.The one or more antennas 240 may further be configured to perform atleast one of transmitting the one or more signals to the Ethernet lines255 or receiving the one or more signals from the Ethernet lines 255.The Ethernet connection may be at least one of an Ethernet port, one ormore Ethernet cables disposed in the wall 220, or one or more Ethernetwires disposed in the wall.

In some cases, as shown in FIG. 2I, the wireless functionality device230 and/or the one or more antennas 240 might further be connected toone or more Ethernet wires 255 a disposed in the wall 220 of thecustomer premises. The wireless functionality device 230 may be wireddirectly to the one or more Ethernet wires 255 a disposed in the wall220 of the customer premises. The one or more antennas 240 mightwirelessly transmit the one or more signals to one or more user devicesfrom the one or more Ethernet wires 255 a disposed in the wall 220 ofthe customer premises. Additionally, the one or more antennas 240 mightwirelessly receive the one or more signals from one or more user devicesand transmit the one or more signals to the one or more Ethernet wires255 a disposed in the wall 220 of the customer premises.

In other cases, as shown in FIG. 2J, the wireless functionality device230 and/or the one or more antennas 240 might further be connected toone or more Ethernet wires 255 a disposed in the wall 220 of thecustomer premises and one or more Ethernet ports 260 via one or moreEthernet wires or cables 255 b. The one or more antennas 240 mighttransmit, from the one or more Ethernet wires 255 a disposed in the wall220 of the customer premises, one or more signals to one or more userdevices via the Ethernet port 260. Additionally, the one or moreantennas 240 might receive the one or more signals from one or more userdevices via Ethernet port 260 and transmit the one or more signals tothe one or more Ethernet wires 255 a disposed in the wall 220 of thecustomer premises.

In yet other cases, as shown in FIG. 2K, the wireless functionalitydevice 230 and/or the one or more antennas 240 might further beconnected to one or more Ethernet ports 260 via one or more Ethernetwires or cables 255 b. The one or more antennas 240 might wirelesslytransmit from a gateway, a router, another wireless functionality device230, and/or one or more user devices one or more signals to one or moreuser devices coupled to the Ethernet port 260 via the Ethernet port 260.Additionally, the one or more antennas 240 might receive the one or moresignals from one or more user devices via Ethernet port 260 andwirelessly transmit the one or more signals to a gateway, a router,another wireless functionality device 230, and/or one or more userdevices.

According to some embodiments, the wireless functionality device 230might further comprise one or more sensors 265 as shown in FIG. 2L andthe faceplate 205 might include one or more indicator lights 270 and/orone or more buttons 275 as shown in FIG. 2M. In some instances, the oneor more sensors 265 might each include, without limitation, at least oneof a light sensor, a proximity sensor, a motion sensor, or an audiosensor, and/or the like.

In various cases, the one or more indicator lights 270 a might beattached to an outer surface of the faceplate 205 and/or the one or moreindicator lights 270 b might be attached to an edge of the faceplate205. The one or more indicator lights 270 may be configured to indicateat least one of: whether the one or more antennas are receiving power;whether the one or more antennas are powered on or off; a signalstrength of the one or more signals; a bandwidth availability of the oneor more antennas; or a detection of motion in front of the faceplate;and/or the like. In a few non-limiting examples, the one or moreindicator lights 270 may be green when the one or more antennas arereceiving power and/or when the one or more antennas are powered on. Theone or more indicator lights 270 may be off when the one or moreantennas are powered off. A number of indicator lights 270 turned on ora color of indicator lights 270 may indicate a signal strength of theone or more signals. For example, four indicator lights turned on orgreen indicator lights may indicate that strong signal strength whileone indicator light turned on or red indicator lights may indicate lowsignal strength. In some cases, the one or more indicator lights 270 maybe powered on when the one or more sensors 265 detect motion and/or whenthe one or more sensors 265 detect that one or more lights in a roomhave been powered off.

In some embodiments, the one or more buttons 275 might include one ormore sync buttons to manually sync the wireless functionality device 230with a network. For example, the at least one processor 235 may receiveuser input via the one or more buttons 275, requesting that theprocessor 235 sync and connect the wireless functionality device 230 toa network. In response to receiving the user input, the at least oneprocessor 235 may sync and connect the wireless functionality device 230to the network. Additionally and/or alternatively, the user may pressthe button 275 for a predetermined period of time to reset the wirelessfunctionality device 230 and/or the one or more antennas 240.

With reference to FIGS. 2N-2P, FIGS. 2N-2P depict a second example 200′,a third example 200″, and a fourth example 200″′ of various otherimplementations of faceplates and/or wireless functionality devices thatare configured to attach to an inner surface of the faceplates. Forexample, FIG. 2N represents the faceplate 205′ as being a faceplate forone or more light switches, FIG. 2O represents the faceplate 205″ asbeing a faceplate for one or more Ethernet connections, and FIG. 2Prepresents a multi-function faceplate 205″′ for an audio connection anda video connection.

These and other functions of the wireless functionality device 230 (andits components) are described in greater detail above and below withrespect to FIGS. 1, 3, 4 , and 5.

FIGS. 3A-3D (collectively, “FIG. 3 ”) are illustrations of one or moresoftware applications (“apps”) running on user devices 300 used by usersto interact with one or more wireless functionality devices. The one ormore apps present exemplary graphical user interfaces for implementingfaceplate-based wireless device functionality, in accordance withvarious embodiments. In FIG. 3 , each user device 300 might comprise ahousing 305 and a display screen 310. Display screen 310 might include atouchscreen device, a non-touchscreen device, and/or a combination inwhich some portions are touchscreen-capable while other portions are nottouchscreen-capable. In some embodiments, the user device 300 mightserve as a device-aware touchscreen remote controller that changes thescreen and user interface based on a determination of which device it ispointed at or associated with. For example, if the user device 300 ispointing at a first wireless functionality device, the user device mightdetermine that it is pointing at the first wireless functionality deviceand the user interface might automatically change to present a firstwireless functionality device remote controller user interface (either auniversal remote controller user interface or a remote controller userinterface that is specific to or otherwise customized for the particularfirst wireless functionality device it is pointing at, etc.). AlthoughFIG. 3 depicts user device 300 as being a smart phone, the variousembodiments are not so limited, and the user device 300 can be anysuitable user device, including, but not limited to, a tablet computer,a smart phone, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, a fitnesstracker, a smart watch, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, and/orthe like.

FIG. 3A depicts a user interface for initializing and enabling awireless functionality device, in accordance with various embodiments.FIG. 3B depicts a user interface that provides the user with information(including current, up-to-date information) regarding the wirelessfunctionality devices within the customer premises. FIGS. 3C and 3Ddepict alternative user interfaces that allow the user to view a networkof connected devices including the wireless functionality devices withinthe customer premises.

Turning to FIG. 3A, the user interface might comprise a header portion310 a that provides the user with options to return to a previous screen(i.e., “Back,” or the like), provides the user with a title or summaryof the currently displayed screen (e.g., “Initialization” etc.), andprovides the user with options to indicate that the selections for thecurrent screen are complete (i.e., “Done,” or the like).

FIG. 3A depicts one or more user interface panels 315 that allow theuser to initialize one or more wireless functionality devices, inaccordance with various embodiments. For example, in response to adetection that a wireless functionality device has been powered and/orin response to a user interaction with a sync button on the wirelessfunctionality device, the wireless functionality device might send aninitialization message to at least one of the user device 300 or an apprunning on the user device 300 to sync the wireless functionality devicewith the network. Additionally and/or alternatively, the user device 300and/or the app running on the user device 300 might detect that one ormore wireless functionality devices have entered a customer premisesand/or are trying to connect to a network of the customer premises.Based on a determination that one or more wireless functionality deviceshave entered a customer premises and/or are trying to connect to anetwork of the customer premises, the user device 300 and/or the apprunning on the user device 300 might display an initialization messageto a user of the user device 300 to sync the wireless functionalitydevice with the network.

In each sub-panel, the user may be provided with additional options(i.e., when the user selects the menu icon in each sub-panel, or thelike). For example, in sub-panel 315 a, the user device 300 may verifythat a user wants to set up the wireless functionality device. Insub-panel 315 b, a user may select a room where the wirelessfunctionality device is located. Additionally and/or alternatively, byselecting a room where the wireless functionality device is located, thewireless functionality device may be set as the default wirelessfunctionality device to use to transmit or receive one or more signalfor one or more user devices located in the same room as wirelessfunctionality device. In sub-panel 315 c, after the wirelessfunctionality device has been setup, the user device 300 may verify thata user wants to synchronize and connect the wireless functionalitydevice to the network of the customer premises.

Additionally and/or alternatively, when setting up the wirelessfunctionality device, the user device 300 may automatically anddynamically allocate bandwidth to one or more devices communicativelycoupled to the wireless functionality device. Alternatively, the usermay manually select bandwidth allocations when setting up the wirelessfunctionality device. In some instance, user device 300 mayautomatically and/or a user may manually prioritize one or more devicesusing the bandwidth of the wireless functionality device. For example,the user device 300 and/or the user may indicate that a cellphone orlaptop be given bandwidth priority over a refrigerator and/or the like.

Additionally and/or alternatively, the user device 300 mayautomatically, and/or the user may manually, allocate bandwidth amongmultiple wireless functionality devices located in a customer premises,create a priority associated with each wireless functionality deviceslocated in a customer premises, and/or the like. The user device 300 mayautomatically, and/or the user may manually, manage a WiFi mesh networkcreated among the multiple wireless functionality devices.

FIGS. 3B and 3C depicts a user interface that provides the user withinformation (including current, up-to-date information) regarding thewireless functionality devices within the customer premises. In someembodiments, the user interface might provide the user with informationregarding the various wireless functionality devices (as well as otherdevices) within the customer premises.

Turning to FIG. 3B and 3C, the user interface might comprise a headerportion 310 b and 310 c that provides the user with options to return toa previous screen (i.e., “Back,” or the like), provides the user with atitle or summary of the currently displayed screen (e.g., “WirelessFunctionality Devices,” “Devices and Rooms” etc.), and provides the userwith options to indicate that the selections for the current screen arecomplete (i.e., “Done,” or the like).

In each sub-panel, the user may be provided with additional options(i.e., when the user selects the menu icon in each sub-panel, or thelike). For example, in sub-panels 320 a and 325 a, the user device 300may allow a user to filter the wireless functionality devices within acustomer premises by various characteristics. In a non-limiting example,the wireless functionality devices may be filtered based on the roomswhere the wireless functionality devices are located, based on thesignal strength of the wireless functionality devices, based on thesignal strength of the wireless functionality devices as detected byuser device 300 at a particular location, based on the availablebandwidth, based on whether the wireless functionality devices arepowered on or powered off, based on a number of devices connected to thewireless functionality device, based on one or more types of devicesconnected to the wireless functionality device, based on a specificdevice (e.g., living room TV, refrigerator, and/or the like) connectedto the wireless functionality device, and/or the like. Sub-panels 320 band 325 b may be used to display one or more characteristicscorresponding to each of the wireless functionality device, including,but not limited to, whether the one or more wireless functionalitydevices are receiving power, whether the one or more wirelessfunctionality devices are powered on or off, a signal strength of eachof the wireless functionality devices, a bandwidth availability of eachof the one or more wireless functionality devices, number of devicestypes of devices connected to each wireless functionality device, typesof devices connected to each wireless functionality device, specificdevices (e.g., living room TV, refrigerator, and/or the like) connectedto each wireless functionality device, location of each device connectedto each wireless functionality device, and/or the like.

FIG. 3D depicts alternative user interfaces that allow the user to viewa network of connected devices including the wireless functionalitydevices within the customer premises.

Turning to FIG. 3D depicts a “Network” view in which gateway or routerinformation is displayed in sub-panel 330 a. In some cases, the routerinformation might include, without limitation, average downloadbandwidth, bit rate, or speed (hereinafter, referred to simply as“bandwidth”) within a predetermined period (e.g., 89 Mbps, as denoted bythe numeric value within the gauge icon and as denoted by the downloadgauge in the non-limiting example in FIG. 3D), maximum actual downloadbandwidth within a predetermined period (e.g., 92 Mbps, as denoted bythe dot in the gauge icon and the numeric value beside the dot in theexample of FIG. 3D), subscribed download bandwidth within apredetermined period (e.g., 100 Mbps, in the example of FIG. 3D),average upload bandwidth within a predetermined period (e.g., 36 Mbps,as denoted by the numeric value within the gauge icon and as denoted bythe upload gauge in the non-limiting example in FIG. 3D), maximum actualupload bandwidth within a predetermined period (e.g., 39 Mbps, asdenoted by the dot in the gauge icon and the numeric value beside thedot in the example of FIG. 3D), subscribed upload bandwidth within apredetermined period (e.g., 50 Mbps, in the example of FIG. 3D), gatewayor router information (e.g., make, model, serial number, etc.),information indicating secure or unsecure network (e.g., as denoted bythe lock symbol above the router icon in FIG. 3D, and/or the like.

Sub-panel 330 b might display icons of devices (including wirelessfunctionality devices and other devices) within the network atparticular ranges as denoted by the concentric semi-circular lines (withthe line closest to the router icon being indicative of the strongestsignal (as from a wired connection), and with lines progressivelyfurther from the router icon being indicative of weaker and weakersignal (as from various ranges of wireless connections). Additionally,sub-panel 330 b might display one or more connections (e.g., wireless,wired, and/or the like) between devices.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3D, a living room TV might be connected to thelocal area network via wired connection (denoted by the line connectingthe Living Room Wireless Functionality Device to the TV) to a wirelessfunctionality device, while one or more lights and/or consoles mighteach be connected to the network via a wireless connection (denoted bythe lightning bolt icons) through a wireless functionality device. Insome cases, the lightning bolt icons denoting wireless connections mightfurther include download and upload gauges.

Although FIG. 3D depicts particular devices such as wirelessfunctionality devices, a TV, a console, and lights within the userinterface, the various embodiments are not so limited, and the devicescan include, without limitation, any combination of one or more userdevices, one or more sensor devices, one or more household appliances,one or more kitchen appliances, one or more lighting systems, one ormore automated door locking systems, one or more automated door openingor closing systems, one or more automated window locking systems, one ormore automated window opening or closing systems, one or more smartwindows, one or more window covering control systems, one or more solarcells, one or more customer premises security systems, one or morecustomer premises environmental control systems, one or more electricaloutlets, one or more power strips, one or more dimmer switches, one ormore data ports, one or more display devices, one or more clocks, one ormore sprinkler systems, one or more vehicles, one or more mobile userdevices, one or more media recording or playback devices, one or moremedical devices, one or more fitness trackers, or one or more exerciseequipment, and/or the like. The one or more user devices might include,but are not limited to, a tablet computer, a desktop computer, a laptopcomputer, a smart phone, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, aportable gaming device, a gaming console, a television, and/or the like.The one or more sensors might include, but are not limited to, at leastone of one or more temperature sensors, one or more light sensors, oneor more humidity sensors, one or more motion sensors, one or more airquality sensors, one or more carbon monoxide sensors, one or more smokedetectors, one or more water leak detectors, one or more contactsensors, one or more audio sensors, one or more accelerometers, one ormore proximity sensors, one or more biometrics sensors, one or morelocation sensors, one or more radiation sensors, one or moretelecommunications signal sensors, or one or more cameras, and/or thelike.

These and other functions of the wireless functionality device (and itscomponents) are described in greater detail above and below with respectto FIGS. 1, 2, 4 , and 5.

FIGS. 4A-4C (collectively, “FIG. 4 ”) are flow diagrams illustrating amethod 400 for implementing faceplate-based wireless devicefunctionality, in accordance with various embodiments.

While the techniques and procedures are depicted and/or described in acertain order for purposes of illustration, it should be appreciatedthat certain procedures may be reordered and/or omitted within the scopeof various embodiments. Moreover, while the method 400 illustrated byFIG. 4 can be implemented by or with (and, in some cases, are describedbelow with respect to) the systems, examples, or embodiments 100, 200,200′, 200″, 200″′, 300, and 500 of FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 5 respectively (orcomponents thereof), such methods may also be implemented using anysuitable hardware (or software) implementation. Similarly, while each ofthe systems, examples, or embodiments 100, 200, 200′, 200″, 200″′, 300,and 500 of FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 5 respectively (or components thereof),can operate according to the method 400 illustrated by FIG. 4 (e.g., byexecuting instructions embodied on a computer readable medium), thesystems, examples, or embodiments 100, 200, 200′, 200″, 200″′, 300, and500 of FIGS. 1, 2, 3 , and can each also operate according to othermodes of operation and/or perform other suitable procedures.

In the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 4A, method 400, at block 405,might comprise powering, using a power adapter, one or more antennas.The power adapter may be electrically coupled to the one or moreantennas. In some cases, the power adapter may be electrically coupledto a power source. The power source may be at least one of a battery, anelectrical wall outlet, a solar cell, or one or more electrical powerwires disposed in the wall, and/or the like. In some embodiments, theone or more antennas may be attached to an inner surface of a faceplateconfigured to be attached to a wall. The one or more antennas may beembedded within the inner surface of the faceplate.

The one or more antennas may be configured to perform transmitting orreceiving one or more signals to perform one or more functions. The oneor more signals might include, without limitation, at least one of oneor more radio communications signals, one or more WiFi communicationssignals, one or more cellular communications signals, or one or moreBluetooth communications signals, and/or the like.

At optional block 410, method 400 might comprise manually syncing theone or more antennas to perform at least one of transmitting orreceiving the one or more signals to perform the one or more functions.Additionally and/or alternatively, method 400 might skip optional block410 and continue to block 415 by connecting, using at least oneprocessor communicatively coupled to the one or more antennas, the oneor more antennas to a network. In some cases, the step of block 415,i.e., the step of connecting the one or more antennas to a network mayinclude the step of optional block 410. Alternatively, the step ofconnecting the one or more antennas to a network may be doneautomatically without user input.

In order to automatically connect and sync the one or more antennas to anetwork, the at least one processor may automatically sync the one ormore antennas by determining whether the one or more antennas havereceived power. Based on a determination that the one or more antennashave received power, the at least one processor may automatically syncand connect the wireless functionality device to the network.

In order to manually sync the one or more antennas, the method 400 mightcontinue at optional block 410 a by receiving, using at least oneprocessor communicatively coupled to the one or more antennas, a userinput via a sync button disposed on the faceplate. Method 400 mightfurther comprise, at optional block 410 b syncing, using the at leastone processor, the one or more antennas with the network in response toreceiving the user input via the sync button. Alternatively, in order tomanually sync the one or more antennas, the method 400 might continue atoptional block 410 c by receiving, using the at least one processor, auser input via a sync button disposed on the faceplate. In response toreceiving the user input via the sync button, method 400 might includesending, with the at least one processor, an initialization message toat least one of a user device or a software application (“app”) runningon the user device to sync the one or more antennas with the network(optional block 410 d) and receiving, with the user device or the apprunning on the user device, a response to the initialization message(optional block 410 e). In response to receiving the response to theinitialization message, method 400 at block 410 d might continue bysyncing, with the user device or the app running on the user device, theone or more antennas with the network.

In yet another case, in order to manually sync the one or more antennas,the at least one processor may determine the one or more antennas havereceived power. In response to determining that the one or more antennashave received power, the at least one processor may send aninitialization message to at least one of a user device or a softwareapplication (“app”) running on the user device to sync the one or moreantennas with the network. The initialization message may be sent to anearby user device (e.g., a cellphone, a tablet, a computer, and/or thelike) via a Bluetooth wireless connection and/or a WiFi wirelessconnection. The user device may receive a response to the initializationmessage from the user and, in response to receiving the response to theinitialization message, the user device may sync and connect the one ormore antennas to the network.

In some cases, if the processor determines that the one or more antennasdid not automatically sync and connect to the network, then theprocessor may indicate on a display and/or via user interface located onthe faceplate that the one or more antennas did not automatically syncand connect to the network. For example, a sync button located on thefaceplate may flash a red light indicating that the one or more antennasdid not automatically sync and connect to the network. The processor maythen wait to receive input via display and/or via user interface and, inresponse to receiving user input, the at least one processor may try tosync and connect the one or more antennas to the network.

Alternatively, if the processor determines that the one or more antennasdid not automatically sync and connect to the network and/or that userinput via display and/or via user interface did not cause the one ormore antennas to automatically sync and connect to the network, theprocessor may send an initialization message to at least one of the userdevice 125 or a software application (“app”) running on the user deviceto sync the one or more antennas with the network. The user device mayreceive a response to the initialization message from the user and, inresponse to receiving the response to the initialization message, theuser device may sync and connect the one or more antennas to thenetwork.

Once the one or more antennas are connected to the network, the method400 might continue at block 420 by causing, using the at least oneprocessor, the one or more antennas to perform at least one oftransmitting or receiving one or more signals to perform one or morefunctions. Referring to FIG. 4C, performing the one or more firstfunctions might comprise at least one of: performing wireless accesspoint functionality (block 420 a); performing wireless communicationsfunctionality (block 420 b); performing cellular communicationsfunctionality (block 420 c); performing Bluetooth communicationsfunctionality (block 420 d); performing Ethernet communicationsfunctionality (block 420 e); or performing WiFi mesh functionality(block 420 f); and/or the like.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 400 for making a wirelessfunctionality device, in accordance with various embodiments.

While the techniques and procedures are depicted and/or described in acertain order for purposes of illustration, it should be appreciatedthat certain procedures may be reordered and/or omitted within the scopeof various embodiments. Moreover, while the method 500 illustrated byFIG. 5 can be implemented by or with (and, in some cases, are describedbelow with respect to) the systems, examples, or embodiments 100, 200,200′, 200″, 200″′, 300, and 400 of FIGS. 1, 2A-2M, 2N, 2O, 2P, 3, and 4respectively (or components thereof), such methods may also beimplemented using any suitable hardware (or software) implementation.Similarly, while each of the systems, examples, or embodiments 100, 200,200′, 200″, 200″′, 300, and 400 o of FIGS. 1, 2A-2M, 2N, 2O, 2P, 3, and4 respectively (or components thereof), can be made according to themethod 500 illustrated by FIG. 5 , the systems, examples, or embodiments100, 200, 200′, 200″, 200″′, 300, and 400 of FIGS. 1, 2A-2M, 2N, 2O, 2P,3, and 4 can each also be made according to other method of making.

In the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 5 , method 500, at block 505,might comprise providing a faceplate configured to be attached to awall. The face plate may include, without limitation, at least one of awall face plate, a power outlet face plate, a data connection faceplate, an ethernet connection face plate, a coaxial connection faceplate, a light switch face plate, an audio connection plate, a videoconnection face plate, or a multi-function faceplate, and/or the like.The multi-function faceplate may be a faceplate combining features oftwo or more of the other faceplates. In a non-limiting example, themulti-function faceplate may include two or more features of a wallfaceplate, a power outlet faceplate, a data connection faceplate, anEthernet connection faceplate, a coaxial cable connection faceplate, alight switch faceplate, an audio connection faceplate, a videoconnection faceplate, and/or the like.

At block 510, method 500 might comprise attaching one or more antennasto an inner surface of the face plate. The one or more antennas may beattached to the inner surface of the faceplate via a least one of aresin, a glue, one or more screws, and/or the like. In some instances,the one or more antennas may be fully embedded or partially embeddedwithin the face plate. In a non-limiting example, the faceplate may be3D-printed around the one or more antennas to embed the one or moreantennas within the faceplate. Additionally and/or alternatively, apower adapter and a processor may be attached to the inner surface ofthe faceplate in a similar manner.

The one or more antennas may further be configured to perform at leastone of transmitting or receiving one or more signals to perform one ormore functions. The one or more signals may include, without limitation,at least one of one or more radio communications signals, one or moreWiFi communications signals, one or more cellular communicationssignals, or one or more Bluetooth communications signals, and/or thelike. The one or more functions may include, without limitation,performing wireless access point functionality; performing wirelesscommunications functionality; performing cellular communicationsfunctionality; performing Bluetooth communications functionality;performing Ethernet communications functionality; WiFi extensionfunctionality; cellular extension functionality; Bluetooth extensionfunctionality; or performing WiFi mesh functionality; and/or the like.

Next, at block 515, the method 500 might include coupling the one ormore antennas to a power adapter. The power adapter may be configured toprovide power to the one or more antennas. In some instances, the poweradapter might convert (or transform) electricity (i.e., by regulatingvoltage, stepping-up or stepping down voltage, limiting current, etc.)that is transmitted to the one or more antennas.

At optional block 520, the method 500 might continue by coupling thepower adapter to a power source. The power source might be integratedinto the power adapter or separate from the power adapter. The powersource might be, without limitation, a battery, an electrical walloutlet, a solar cell, or one or more electrical power wires disposed inthe wall, and/or the like. In some cases, by wiring the one or moreantennas to the one or more electrical power wires disposed in the wall,the one or more antennas may be configured to transmit communicationssignals or receive communications signals over powerline.

In various instances, the power adapter may be electrically coupled toboth a battery and one or more electrical power wires disposed in thewall. The battery may serve as a backup if power to the one or moreelectrical power wires disposed in the wall goes out during a poweroutage. This ensures that the one or more antennas always receive power.Additionally, in some instances, when the router or gateway of acustomer premises have one or more battery backups and when the wirelessfunctionality devices are configured as WiFi extension devices, thenWiFi within a customer premises may continue to function within acustomer premises even during a power outage due to the battery backup.

In some embodiments, method 500, at block 525 might include coupling theone or more antennas to at least one processor. The at least oneprocessor may be configured to cause the one or more antennas to connectto a network and to cause the one or more antennas to perform the one ormore functions.

In some instances, method 500, at optional block 530 might includeattaching one or more indicator lights to the faceplate. In variouscases, the one or more indicator lights might be attached to an outersurface of the faceplate and/or the one or more indicator lights mightbe attached to an edge of faceplate. The one or more indicator lightsmay be configured to indicate at least one of: whether the one or moreantennas are receiving power; whether the one or more antennas arepowered on or off; a signal strength of the one or more signals; abandwidth availability of the one or more antennas; or a detection ofmotion in front of the faceplate; and/or the like. In a few non-limitingexamples, the one or more indicator lights may be green when the one ormore antennas are receiving power and/or when the one or more antennasare powered on. The one or more indicator lights may be off when the oneor more antennas are powered off. A number of indicator lights turned onor a color of indicator lights may indicate a signal strength of the oneor more signals. For example, four indicator lights turned on or greenindicator lights may indicate that strong signal strength while oneindicator light turned on or red indicator lights may indicate lowsignal strength. In some cases, the one or more indicator lights may bepowered on when the one or more sensors detect motion and/or when theone or more sensors detect that one or more lights in a room have beenpowered off.

In various embodiments, method 500, at optional block 535, mightcontinue by attaching one or more sync buttons to the faceplate. In someembodiments, the at least one processor might be configured to receive auser input via a sync button disposed on the faceplate and sync the oneor more antennas with the network in response to receiving the userinput via the sync button. In other embodiments, the at least oneprocessor might be configured to receive a user input via a sync buttondisposed on the faceplate and in response to receiving the user inputvia the sync button, send, with the at least one processor, aninitialization message to at least one of a user device or a softwareapplication (“app”) running on the user device to sync the one or moreantennas with the network. The initialization message might be sent tothe user device via a Bluetooth connection or a WiFi connection.

Exemplary System and Hardware Implementation

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary computer or systemhardware architecture, in accordance with various embodiments. FIG. 6provides a schematic illustration of one embodiment of a computer system600 of the service provider system hardware that can perform the methodsprovided by various other embodiments, as described herein, and/or canperform the functions of computer or hardware system (i.e., wirelessfunctionality devices 105 and 230, user device(s) 125 and 300, gateway130, and computing system 145, etc.), as described above. It should benoted that FIG. 6 is meant only to provide a generalized illustration ofvarious components, of which one or more (or none) of each may beutilized as appropriate. FIG. 6 , therefore, broadly illustrates howindividual system elements may be implemented in a relatively separatedor relatively more integrated manner.

The computer or hardware system 600—which might represent an embodimentof the computer or hardware system (i.e., wireless functionality devices105 and 230, user device(s) 125 and 300, gateway 130, and computingsystem 145, etc.), described above with respect to FIGS. 1-5 —is showncomprising hardware elements that can be electrically coupled via a bus605 (or may otherwise be in communication, as appropriate). The hardwareelements may include one or more processors 610, including, withoutlimitation, one or more general-purpose processors and/or one or morespecial-purpose processors (such as microprocessors, digital signalprocessing chips, graphics acceleration processors, and/or the like);one or more input devices 615, which can include, without limitation, amouse, a keyboard, and/or the like; and one or more output devices 620,which can include, without limitation, a display device, a printer,and/or the like.

The computer or hardware system 600 may further include (and/or be incommunication with) one or more storage devices 625, which can comprise,without limitation, local and/or network accessible storage, and/or caninclude, without limitation, a disk drive, a drive array, an opticalstorage device, solid-state storage device such as a random accessmemory (“RAM”) and/or a read-only memory (“ROM”), which can beprogrammable, flash-updateable, and/or the like. Such storage devicesmay be configured to implement any appropriate data stores, including,without limitation, various file systems, database structures, and/orthe like.

The computer or hardware system 600 might also include a communicationssubsystem 630, which can include, without limitation, a modem, a networkcard (wireless or wired), an infra-red communication device, a wirelesscommunication device and/or chipset (such as a Bluetooth™ device, an802.11 device, a WiFi device, a WiMax device, a WWAN device, cellularcommunication facilities, etc.), and/or the like. The communicationssubsystem 630 may permit data to be exchanged with a network (such asthe network described below, to name one example), with other computeror hardware systems, and/or with any other devices described herein. Inmany embodiments, the computer or hardware system 600 will furthercomprise a working memory 635, which can include a RAM or ROM device, asdescribed above.

The computer or hardware system 600 also may comprise software elements,shown as being currently located within the working memory 635,including an operating system 640, device drivers, executable libraries,and/or other code, such as one or more application programs 645, whichmay comprise computer programs provided by various embodiments(including, without limitation, hypervisors, VMs, and the like), and/ormay be designed to implement methods, and/or configure systems, providedby other embodiments, as described herein. Merely by way of example, oneor more procedures described with respect to the method(s) discussedabove might be implemented as code and/or instructions executable by acomputer (and/or a processor within a computer); in an aspect, then,such code and/or instructions can be used to configure and/or adapt ageneral purpose computer (or other device) to perform one or moreoperations in accordance with the described methods.

A set of these instructions and/or code might be encoded and/or storedon a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, such as thestorage device(s) 625 described above. In some cases, the storage mediummight be incorporated within a computer system, such as the system 600.In other embodiments, the storage medium might be separate from acomputer system (i.e., a removable medium, such as a compact disc,etc.), and/or provided in an installation package, such that the storagemedium can be used to program, configure, and/or adapt a general purposecomputer with the instructions/code stored thereon. These instructionsmight take the form of executable code, which is executable by thecomputer or hardware system 600 and/or might take the form of sourceand/or installable code, which, upon compilation and/or installation onthe computer or hardware system 600 (e.g., using any of a variety ofgenerally available compilers, installation programs,compression/decompression utilities, etc.) then takes the form ofexecutable code.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that substantialvariations may be made in accordance with specific requirements. Forexample, customized hardware (such as programmable logic controllers,field-programmable gate arrays, application-specific integratedcircuits, and/or the like) might also be used, and/or particularelements might be implemented in hardware, software (including portablesoftware, such as applets, etc.), or both. Further, connection to othercomputing devices such as network input/output devices may be employed.

As mentioned above, in one aspect, some embodiments may employ acomputer or hardware system (such as the computer or hardware system600) to perform methods in accordance with various embodiments of theinvention. According to a set of embodiments, some or all of theprocedures of such methods are performed by the computer or hardwaresystem 600 in response to processor 610 executing one or more sequencesof one or more instructions (which might be incorporated into theoperating system 640 and/or other code, such as an application program645) contained in the working memory 635. Such instructions may be readinto the working memory 635 from another computer readable medium, suchas one or more of the storage device(s) 625. Merely by way of example,execution of the sequences of instructions contained in the workingmemory 635 might cause the processor(s) 610 to perform one or moreprocedures of the methods described herein.

The terms “machine readable medium” and “computer readable medium,” asused herein, refer to any medium that participates in providing datathat causes a machine to operate in a specific fashion. In an embodimentimplemented using the computer or hardware system 600, various computerreadable media might be involved in providing instructions/code toprocessor(s) 610 for execution and/or might be used to store and/orcarry such instructions/code (e.g., as signals). In manyimplementations, a computer readable medium is a non-transitory,physical, and/or tangible storage medium. In some embodiments, acomputer readable medium may take many forms, including, but not limitedto, non-volatile media, volatile media, or the like. Non-volatile mediaincludes, for example, optical and/or magnetic disks, such as thestorage device(s) 625. Volatile media includes, without limitation,dynamic memory, such as the working memory 635. In some alternativeembodiments, a computer readable medium may take the form oftransmission media, which includes, without limitation, coaxial cables,copper wire, and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise the bus605, as well as the various components of the communication subsystem630 (and/or the media by which the communications subsystem 630 providescommunication with other devices). In an alternative set of embodiments,transmission media can also take the form of waves (including withoutlimitation radio, acoustic, and/or light waves, such as those generatedduring radio-wave and infra-red data communications).

Common forms of physical and/or tangible computer readable mediainclude, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, a hard disk,magnetic tape, or any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, any other opticalmedium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patternsof holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chipor cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any othermedium from which a computer can read instructions and/or code.

Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying oneor more sequences of one or more instructions to the processor(s) 610for execution. Merely by way of example, the instructions may initiallybe carried on a magnetic disk and/or optical disc of a remote computer.A remote computer might load the instructions into its dynamic memoryand send the instructions as signals over a transmission medium to bereceived and/or executed by the computer or hardware system 600. Thesesignals, which might be in the form of electromagnetic signals, acousticsignals, optical signals, and/or the like, are all examples of carrierwaves on which instructions can be encoded, in accordance with variousembodiments of the invention.

The communications subsystem 630 (and/or components thereof) generallywill receive the signals, and the bus 605 then might carry the signals(and/or the data, instructions, etc. carried by the signals) to theworking memory 635, from which the processor(s) 605 retrieves andexecutes the instructions. The instructions received by the workingmemory 635 may optionally be stored on a storage device 625 eitherbefore or after execution by the processor(s) 610.

As noted above, a set of embodiments comprises methods and systems forimplementing wireless functionality, and, more particularly, to methods,systems, and apparatuses for implementing faceplate-based wirelessdevice functionality and wireless extension functionality. FIG. 7illustrates a schematic diagram of a system 700 that can be used inaccordance with one set of embodiments. The system 700 can include oneor more user computers, user devices, or customer devices 705. A usercomputer, user device, or customer device 705 can be a general purposepersonal computer (including, merely by way of example, desktopcomputers, tablet computers, laptop computers, handheld computers, andthe like, running any appropriate operating system, several of which areavailable from vendors such as Apple, Microsoft Corp., and the like),cloud computing devices, a server(s), and/or a workstation computer(s)running any of a variety of commercially-available UNIX™ or UNIX-likeoperating systems. A user computer, user device, or customer device 705can also have any of a variety of applications, including one or moreapplications configured to perform methods provided by variousembodiments (as described above, for example), as well as one or moreoffice applications, database client and/or server applications, and/orweb browser applications. Alternatively, a user computer, user device,or customer device 705 can be any other electronic device, such as athin-client computer, Internet-enabled mobile telephone, and/or personaldigital assistant, capable of communicating via a network (e.g., thenetwork(s) 710 described below) and/or of displaying and navigating webpages or other types of electronic documents. Although the exemplarysystem 700 is shown with two user computers, user devices, or customerdevices 705, any number of user computers, user devices, or customerdevices can be supported.

Certain embodiments operate in a networked environment, which caninclude a network(s) 710. The network(s) 710 can be any type of networkfamiliar to those skilled in the art that can support datacommunications using any of a variety of commercially-available (and/orfree or proprietary) protocols, including, without limitation, TCP/IP,SNA™ IPX™ AppleTalk™, and the like. Merely by way of example, thenetwork(s) 710 (similar to network(s) 140 and 155 FIG. 1 , or the like)can each include a local area network (“LAN”), including, withoutlimitation, a fiber network, an Ethernet network, a Token-Ring™ network,and/or the like; a wide-area network (“WAN”); a wireless wide areanetwork (“WWAN”); a virtual network, such as a virtual private network(“VPN”); the Internet; an intranet; an extranet; a public switchedtelephone network (“PSTN”); an infra-red network; a wireless network,including, without limitation, a network operating under any of the IEEE802.11 suite of protocols, the Bluetooth™ protocol known in the art,and/or any other wireless protocol; and/or any combination of theseand/or other networks. In a particular embodiment, the network mightinclude an access network of the service provider (e.g., an Internetservice provider (“ISP”)). In another embodiment, the network mightinclude a core network of the service provider, and/or the Internet.

Embodiments can also include one or more server computers 715. Each ofthe server computers 715 may be configured with an operating system,including, without limitation, any of those discussed above, as well asany commercially (or freely) available server operating systems. Each ofthe servers 715 may also be running one or more applications, which canbe configured to provide services to one or more clients 705 and/orother servers 715.

Merely by way of example, one of the servers 715 might be a data server,a web server, a cloud computing device(s), or the like, as describedabove. The data server might include (or be in communication with) a webserver, which can be used, merely by way of example, to process requestsfor web pages or other electronic documents from user computers 705. Theweb server can also run a variety of server applications, including HTTPservers, FTP servers, CGI servers, database servers, Java servers, andthe like. In some embodiments of the invention, the web server may beconfigured to serve web pages that can be operated within a web browseron one or more of the user computers 705 to perform methods of theinvention.

The server computers 715, in some embodiments, might include one or moreapplication servers, which can be configured with one or moreapplications accessible by a client running on one or more of the clientcomputers 705 and/or other servers 715. Merely by way of example, theserver(s) 715 can be one or more general purpose computers capable ofexecuting programs or scripts in response to the user computers 705and/or other servers 715, including, without limitation, webapplications (which might, in some cases, be configured to performmethods provided by various embodiments). Merely by way of example, aweb application can be implemented as one or more scripts or programswritten in any suitable programming language, such as Java™, C, C#™ orC++, and/or any scripting language, such as Perl, Python, or TCL, aswell as combinations of any programming and/or scripting languages. Theapplication server(s) can also include database servers, including,without limitation, those commercially available from Oracle™,Microsoft™, Sybase™ IBM™, and the like, which can process requests fromclients (including, depending on the configuration, dedicated databaseclients, API clients, web browsers, etc.) running on a user computer,user device, or customer device 705 and/or another server 715. In someembodiments, an application server can perform one or more of theprocesses for implementing wireless functionality, and, moreparticularly, to methods, systems, and apparatuses for implementingfaceplate-based wireless device functionality and wireless extensionfunctionality, as described in detail above. Data provided by anapplication server may be formatted as one or more web pages (comprisingHTML, JavaScript, etc., for example) and/or may be forwarded to a usercomputer 705 via a web server (as described above, for example).Similarly, a web server might receive web page requests and/or inputdata from a user computer 705 and/or forward the web page requestsand/or input data to an application server. In some cases, a web servermay be integrated with an application server.

In accordance with further embodiments, one or more servers 715 canfunction as a file server and/or can include one or more of the files(e.g., application code, data files, etc.) necessary to implementvarious disclosed methods, incorporated by an application running on auser computer 705 and/or another server 715. Alternatively, as thoseskilled in the art will appreciate, a file server can include allnecessary files, allowing such an application to be invoked remotely bya user computer, user device, or customer device 705 and/or server 715.

It should be noted that the functions described with respect to variousservers herein (e.g., application server, database server, web server,file server, etc.) can be performed by a single server and/or aplurality of specialized servers, depending on implementation-specificneeds and parameters.

In certain embodiments, the system can include one or more databases 720a-720 n (collectively, “databases 720”). The location of each of thedatabases 720 is discretionary: merely by way of example, a database 720a might reside on a storage medium local to (and/or resident in) aserver 715 a (and/or a user computer, user device, or customer device705). Alternatively, a database 720 n can be remote from any or all ofthe computers 705, 715, so long as it can be in communication (e.g., viathe network 710) with one or more of these. In a particular set ofembodiments, a database 720 can reside in a storage-area network (“SAN”)familiar to those skilled in the art. (Likewise, any necessary files forperforming the functions attributed to the computers 705, 715 can bestored locally on the respective computer and/or remotely, asappropriate.) In one set of embodiments, the database 720 can be arelational database, such as an Oracle database, that is adapted tostore, update, and retrieve data in response to SQL-formatted commands.The database might be controlled and/or maintained by a database server,as described above, for example.

According to some embodiments, system 700 might further comprise acomputing system 725 (similar to computing system 145 of FIG. 1 , or thelike) and corresponding database(s) 730 (similar to database(s) 150 ofFIG. 1 , or the like). System 700 might further comprise wirelessfunctionality devices 735 (similar to wireless functionality devices 105and 230 of FIGS. 1 and 2 , or the like), one or more faceplates (similarto faceplates 115, 205, 205′, 205″, and 205″′ of FIGS. 1 and 2 , or thelike) disposed on a wall(s) 745 (similar to wall(s) 120 and 220 of FIGS.1 and 2 , or the like) of customer premises 760 (similar to customerpremises 135 of FIG. 1 , or the like), one or more user devices 750(similar to user devices 125 and 300 of FIGS. 1 and 3 ), and a gateway755 (similar to gateway 130 of FIG. 1 , or the like), each disposed atcustomer premises 760.

In operation, the wireless functionality device 735 might include one ormore antennas, a power adapter, and at least one processor. The wirelessfunctionality device 735 may be attached to an inner surface of thefaceplate 740 configured to be attached to wall 745. The one or moreantennas of the wireless functionality 735 device may be electricallycoupled to the power adapter and communicatively coupled to the at leastone processor.

In operation, the wireless functionality device 735 may be powered usingthe power adapter electrically coupled to the one or more antennas andthe at least one processor. When the wireless functionality device 735initially receives power and/or, when the at least one processorreceives a user input requesting that the one or more antennas connectto a network, the at least one processor communicatively coupled to theone or more antennas might connect the one or more antennas to thenetwork. The at least one processor might then cause the wirelessfunctionality device 735 to perform at least one of transmitting orreceiving one or more signals to perform one or more functions.

These and other functions of the system 600 (and its components) aredescribed in greater detail above with respect to FIGS. 1-5 .

While certain features and aspects have been described with respect toexemplary embodiments, one skilled in the art will recognize thatnumerous modifications are possible. For example, the methods andprocesses described herein may be implemented using hardware components,software components, and/or any combination thereof. Further, whilevarious methods and processes described herein may be described withrespect to particular structural and/or functional components for easeof description, methods provided by various embodiments are not limitedto any particular structural and/or functional architecture but insteadcan be implemented on any suitable hardware, firmware and/or softwareconfiguration. Similarly, while certain functionality is ascribed tocertain system components, unless the context dictates otherwise, thisfunctionality can be distributed among various other system componentsin accordance with the several embodiments.

Moreover, while the procedures of the methods and processes describedherein are described in a particular order for ease of description,unless the context dictates otherwise, various procedures may bereordered, added, and/or omitted in accordance with various embodiments.Moreover, the procedures described with respect to one method or processmay be incorporated within other described methods or processes;likewise, system components described according to a particularstructural architecture and/or with respect to one system may beorganized in alternative structural architectures and/or incorporatedwithin other described systems. Hence, while various embodiments aredescribed with—or without—certain features for ease of description andto illustrate exemplary aspects of those embodiments, the variouscomponents and/or features described herein with respect to a particularembodiment can be substituted, added and/or subtracted from among otherdescribed embodiments, unless the context dictates otherwise.Consequently, although several exemplary embodiments are describedabove, it will be appreciated that the invention is intended to coverall modifications and equivalents within the scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: powering, using a poweradapter, one or more antennas, wherein the power adapter is electricallycoupled to the one or more antennas, and wherein the one or moreantennas are attached to an inner surface of a faceplate configured tobe attached to a wall; connecting, using at least one processorcommunicatively coupled to the one or more antennas, the one or moreantennas to a network; causing, using the at least one processor, theone or more antennas to perform at least one of transmitting orreceiving one or more signals to perform one or more functions;receiving, using the at least one processor, a user input via a syncbutton disposed on the faceplate; in response to receiving the userinput via the sync button, sending, using the at least one processor, aninitialization message to at least one of a user device or a softwareapplication (“app”) running on the user device to sync the one or moreantennas with the network; receiving, with the user device or the apprunning on the user device, a response to the initialization message;and in response to receiving the response to the initialization message,syncing, using the user device or the app running on the user device,the one or more antennas with the network.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the faceplate comprises at least one of a wall faceplate, apower outlet faceplate, a data connection faceplate, an Ethernetconnection faceplate, a coaxial cable connection faceplate, a lightswitch faceplate, an audio connection faceplate, a video connectionfaceplate, or a multi-function faceplate.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the one or more antennas are embedded within the inner surfaceof the faceplate.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or moresignals comprise at least one of one or more radio communicationssignals, one or more WiFi communications signals, one or more cellularcommunications signals, or one or more Bluetooth communications signals.5. The method of claim 1, wherein performing the one or more functionscomprises at least one of: performing wireless access pointfunctionality; performing wireless communications functionality;performing cellular communications functionality; performing Bluetoothcommunications functionality; performing Ethernet communicationsfunctionality; or performing WiFi mesh functionality.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more antennas are communicatively coupled toan Ethernet connection, wherein the one or more antennas are furtherconfigured to perform at least one of transmitting the one or moresignals to the Ethernet connection or receiving the one or more signalsfrom the Ethernet connection.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein theEthernet connection is at least one of an Ethernet port, one or moreEthernet cables disposed in the wall, or one or more Ethernet wiresdisposed in the wall.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or moreantennas or the at least one processor, via the one or more antennas, isat least one of: communicatively coupled to one or more user devices viaa first wired connection; communicatively coupled to the one or moreuser devices via a first wireless connection; communicatively coupled toat least one of a router or a gateway device via a second wiredconnection; communicatively coupled to at least one of the router or thegateway device via a second wireless connection; communicatively coupledto the one or more user devices via a third wired connection andcommunicatively coupled to at least one of the router or the gatewaydevice via a fourth wired connection; communicatively coupled to the oneor more user devices via a third wireless connection and communicativelycoupled to at least one of the router or the gateway device via a fourthwireless connection; communicatively coupled to the one or more userdevices via a fifth wireless connection and communicatively coupled toat least one of the router or the gateway device via a fifth wiredconnection; or communicatively coupled to the one or more user devicesvia a sixth wired connection and communicatively coupled to at least oneof the router or the gateway device via a sixth wireless connection. 9.The method of claim 1, further comprises: syncing, using the at leastone processor, the one or more antennas with the network in response toreceiving the user input via the sync button.
 10. The method of claim 1,wherein one or more indicator lights are attached to the faceplate,wherein the one or more indicator lights are configured to indicate atleast one of: whether the one or more antennas are receiving power;whether the one or more antennas are powered on or off; a signalstrength of the one or more signals; a bandwidth availability of the oneor more antennas; or a detection of motion in front of the faceplate.11. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more indicator lights arelocated on at least one of a front face of the faceplate or an edge ofthe faceplate.
 12. An apparatus, comprising: a faceplate configured tobe attached to a wall; one or more antennas attached to an inner surfaceof the faceplate and configured to perform at least one of transmittingor receiving one or more signals to perform one or more functions; apower adapter electrically coupled to the one or more antennas andconfigured to provide power to the one or more antennas; at least oneprocessor communicatively coupled to the one or more antennas; and anon-transitory computer readable medium communicatively coupled to theat least one processor, the non-transitory computer readable mediumhaving stored thereon computer software comprising a set of instructionsthat, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatusto: connect the one or more antennas to a network; cause the one or moreantennas to perform the one or more functions; receive a user input viaa sync button disposed on the faceplate; in response to receiving theuser input via the sync button, send an initialization message to atleast one of a user device or a software application (“app”) running onthe user device to sync the one or more antennas with the network;receive a response to the initialization message; and in response toreceiving the response to the initialization message, sync the one ormore antennas with the network.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, whereinthe faceplate comprises at least one of a wall faceplate, a power outletfaceplate, a data connection faceplate, an Ethernet connectionfaceplate, a coaxial cable connection faceplate, a light switchfaceplate, an audio connection plate, a video connection faceplate, or amulti-function faceplate.
 14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein thepower adapter is electrically coupled to a power source, wherein thepower source is at least one of a battery, an electrical wall outlet, asolar cell, or one or more electrical power wires disposed in the wall.15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the one or more signals compriseat least one of one or more radio communications signals, one or moreWiFi communications signals, one or more cellular communicationssignals, or one or more Bluetooth communications signals.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 12, wherein performing the one or more functionscomprises at least one of: performing wireless access pointfunctionality; performing wireless communications functionality;performing cellular communications functionality; performing Bluetoothcommunications functionality; performing Ethernet communicationsfunctionality; or performing WiFi mesh functionality.
 17. The apparatusof claim 12, wherein the one or more antennas or the at least oneprocessor, via the one or more antennas, is at least one of:communicatively coupled to one or more user devices via a first wiredconnection; communicatively coupled to the one or more user devices viaa first wireless connection; communicatively coupled to at least one ofa router or a gateway device via a second wired connection;communicatively coupled to at least one of the router or the gatewaydevice via a second wireless connection; communicatively coupled to theone or more user devices via a third wired connection andcommunicatively coupled to at least one of the router or the gatewaydevice via a fourth wired connection; communicatively coupled to the oneor more user devices via a third wireless connection and communicativelycoupled to at least one of the router or the gateway device via a fourthwireless connection; communicatively coupled to the one or more userdevices via a fifth wireless connection and communicatively coupled toat least one of the router or the gateway device via a fifth wiredconnection; or communicatively coupled to the one or more user devicesvia a sixth wired connection and communicatively coupled to at least oneof the router or the gateway device via a sixth wireless connection. 18.A system, comprising: a plurality of wireless functionality devices,each wireless functionality device comprising: a faceplate configured tobe attached to a wall; one or more antennas attached to an inner surfaceof the faceplate and configured to perform at least one of transmittingor receiving one or more signals to perform one or more functions; apower adapter electrically coupled to the one or more antennas andconfigured to provide power to the one or more antennas; at least oneprocessor communicatively coupled to the one or more antennas; and anon-transitory computer readable medium communicatively coupled to theat least one processor, the non-transitory computer readable mediumhaving stored thereon computer software comprising a set of instructionsthat, when executed by the at least one processor, causes said wirelessfunctionality device to: connect the one or more antennas to a network;cause the one or more antennas to perform the one or more functions;receive a user input via a sync button disposed on the faceplate; inresponse to receiving the user input via the sync button, send aninitialization message to at least one of a user device or a softwareapplication (“app”) running on the user device to sync the one or moreantennas with the network; receive a response to the initializationmessage; and in response to receiving the response to the initializationmessage, sync the one or more antennas with the network.
 19. The systemof claim 18, wherein the plurality of wireless functionality devices iscommunicatively coupled together to form a mesh network.